By Brian Mugenyi
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Kampala: At Shs: 6millions, you can own a land and housing property under your signature courtesy of Union Transport Alliance in Uganda.
Smiling ear to ear Ms Hope Mukundane, the Head of Growth, Partnerships and Land plus Housing takes her serene seat at Union Transport Alliance Kamwokya suburbs in Kampala City. Being a born Again, Ms Mukundane talks with passion and generosity as for this exclusive interview. One by one, land and housing property are tinged on her fiver tips thus far.
For years, millions of Ugandans have carried one dream close to their hearts — owning a piece of land and building a home where their families can find security and dignity.
But for many ordinary citizens, that dream has remained distant.
Every month, salaries disappear into rent. Families continue moving from one rental house to another, while the possibility of owning property appears to belong to only a few.
It is this reality that Union Transport Alliance is seeking to change through an affordable land and housing initiative aimed at helping Ugandans move from renters to property owners.
Ms. Hope Mukundane, the Head of Growth, Partnerships, Land and Housing at Union Transport Alliance, has called upon Ugandans in the country and those in the diaspora to embrace property ownership as a long-term investment and a pathway out of poverty.
Mukundane says land and housing should not be viewed as luxuries but as important assets that can transform families and communities.
“People should not fear owning property. A home gives a family stability, confidence and something to pass on to the next generation,” Mukundane said.
Through Union Housing Facilities, Ugandans can access land and housing property starting from approximately Shs6 million, with flexible arrangements designed to allow ordinary citizens to begin their ownership journey.
The programme targets workers, entrepreneurs, transport operators, small business owners and Ugandans living abroad who want to invest in secure property back home.
Mukundane says the biggest barrier facing many Ugandans is not the desire to own homes, but the lack of affordable opportunities.
“Some people earn little money and think owning a home is impossible. But even from a small income, a person can save, invest and eventually own property for their family,” she explained.
Uganda’s real estate sector continues to face pressure due to rapid population growth, urbanisation and increasing demand for affordable housing.
With millions of people seeking decent accommodation, many households continue to spend years paying rent without creating permanent wealth.
This, according to Mukundane, is why changing the mindset from renting to ownership is critical.
“A person who owns land has created a foundation. Property gives people security because it remains an asset that can benefit children and future generations,” she said.
The Union Housing Facilities initiative is part of a broader economic empowerment vision championed by Union Transport Alliance Chief Executive Officer Fred Ssenoga.
Ssenoga believes that poverty reduction cannot only be achieved through income generation, but also through helping citizens acquire productive assets.
For him, a home represents more than bricks and iron sheets.
It represents independence.
It represents dignity.
It represents a family’s future.
Mukundane says Union is working to ensure that ordinary Ugandans are given an opportunity to participate in the property market.
The Union offices located at Luthenit Towers in Kamwokya, Kampala, have become a point of engagement for Ugandans seeking guidance on land and housing opportunities.
She adds that Ugandans in the diaspora should also consider investing in property as a way of securing their future and contributing to development back home.
“Many Ugandans abroad work hard but have nothing permanent to show for it back home. Investing in land and housing creates a lasting legacy,” she said.
Real estate experts have long identified land ownership as one of the strongest ways families create wealth because property can appreciate in value over time while providing shelter.
For many families, owning land becomes the first major step toward economic independence.
It reduces uncertainty.
It strengthens communities.
It creates hope.
As Union Transport Alliance continues expanding its housing programme, Mukundane believes more Ugandans can rewrite their stories from permanent tenants to proud homeowners.
“Our message is simple — Ugandans can own property. It begins with taking the first step,” she said.
And as the demand for affordable housing continues to grow, Union’s approach is positioning property ownership not as a dream for the few, but as an opportunity for ordinary citizens seeking a better future.
